A historic 83 percent of the more than 65 million voters participated in the May 9 elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Education and Information Division Director James Jimenez said.
In a Twitter post, Jimenez said the country “made history during the May 9 national and local elections” with the highest turn-out in the automated election history in the country.
Comelec chair Saidamen Pangarungan during his speech at the proclamation of winning senators on Wednesday acknowledged Filipino voters “who waited patiently in line during the May 9 elections to ensure they will exercise their right to suffrage.”
Pangarungan also said Eleksyon 2022 has the “highest voter turnouts in recent history.”
“The glory does not belong solely to the winners of the elections. It also belongs to the voters who stood patiently in line to cast their votes in an election with one of the highest voter turnouts in recent history,” Pangarungan in a GMA News report said.
The 83 percent voter turnout in May reportedly surpassed the 81.95 percent rate during the 2016 presidential elections.
The Comelec earlier proclaimed the 12 winning senators Wednesday, as earlier planned.
The Comelec said the special elections in certain areas will no longer affect the “Magic 12.” The Comelec also said the National Board of Canvassers has already released the official list of the 12 senators-elect.
The list was read by rank during the proclamation ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Tent. The “Magic 12” include the following: 1. Robin Padilla, 2. Loren Legarda, 3. Raffy Tulfo, 4. Sherwin Gatchalian, 5. Chiz Escudero, 6. Mark Villar, 7. Alan Peter Cayetano, 8. Juan Miguel Zubiri, 9. Joel Villanueva, 10. JV Estrada Ejercito, 11. Risa Hontiveros and 12.